Re-usability of container. You will probably create several test container depending on the system you want to test. Those container can be reuse in different test classes or even in different container.

Known disadvantages :

More configuration in the test. You have to create, configure the container and get all desired instances.

A bit excessive for simple unit tests. Such system is used to simplify complex construction of component. If the component require less than 2 dependencies, it doesn't worth it.

To lighten the container management in the test, a junit custom runner has been created which initialize the container and inject dependencies in the test class.

Usage of PicoRunner

PicoRunner is a simple junit custom runner which allows nice integration of picoContainer in Junit.

To get the full code of PicoRunner with examples, you can check IzPack sources.

Principle

Basically, in your test class, you define a container (implementing BindeableContainer) to use with the @Container annotation.

When Junit want to create the test class instance for each methods, the container is created and use to instanciate this test instance. Thus, your test class can behave like a component of the container and ask any dependencies it needs.

Examples

Simple test

The first step is to create your container for test purpose.

Here we have 2 components, a Properties and a mock list.

To use this container in your test, use the customRunner PicoRunner and configure the container with @Container.

You will be able to ask any components of the container in the test constructor. Moreover, an instance of the test is created for each test methods. So you don't have to worry about cleaning the container.

Panel display tests

The following examples are taken from the izpack-test-panel module which contains small and fast GUI tests

The majority of instantiation logic is in the container. We have ready to use components and mocks for your test.